ABSTRACT
INCLUSIVE JOURNALISM: HOW INDONESIAN MEDIA SHEDS LIGHT ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
IN COVID-19 REPORTING
The media plays a significant role in constructing the public meanings of disas- ters/crises and influencing disaster management policy. During the process, media coverage is required to be inclusive with the essence of covering our society in all of its guises, having a variety of sources and generating a story that reflects many points of view, including the marginalized groups. Under the concept of inclusive journalism, this article analyzed how Indonesian media sheds light on People with Disabilities (PwD) in Covid-19 Reporting. This study is designed with a descrip- tive qualitative approach. To answer the purpose of this study, articles published in Kompas online and Detik.com which covered the issue of PwD related to Covid-19 pandemic were collected and were analyzed using the framing approach. The result of this study is significant because how the media portrays disability affects how disabled people view themselves and their wellbeing, how others treat them, and how social, economic, and health policies are created in relation to disability during this pandemic situation. Study reveals that even during pandemic when PwD suf- fer increased health risks and access challenges, they are still underrepresented in media or government discourse. In addition, the news coverage still strengthened the negative and/or dehumanizing stereotypes towards PwD. PwD is still framed as
“victims”, “others”, and “inspirational” in the pandemic reporting.
Keywords: Disability; Inclusive Journalism; Pandemic; Covid-19 Sudirman Karnay1, Rahmatul Furqan2*, Rahman Saeni 3, Sartika Sari Wardanhi 4
1,2,3,4Universitas Hasanuddin, Jl Perintis Kemerdekaan Makassar
*Author Correspondence: [email protected] Author Correspondence: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION
The Covid-19 pandemic has become a major crisis in almost all parts of the world and has captured the attention of all parties, including the media (Xu et al., 2021). The role of the media is becoming more crucial in this pandemic’s uncertain conditions to shape the public perceptions of disasters and affect disaster manage- ment policy (Furqan et al., 2022). The media is an important source of information that enables people at all social strata to comprehend the crises or pandemic that has occurred and adopt the appropriate response.
The practice of health, disaster, and empathy journalism should be combined in pandemic reporting (Hayati & Yoedtadi, 2020). In light of this practice, journalism needs to be inclusive in order to challenge hegemonic notions of inequality under the rubric of social diversity (Rupar, 2017). Media exposure has the power to affect cognition, attitudes, and behavior directly, indirectly, or cumulatively (Sanborn &
Harris, 2019). In addition, according to the agenda-setting theory (Heath & Bryant, 1992), news media raises people’s knowledge and attention about topics. The news media informs the public which concerns need to be taken into account by choos- ing specific information and excluding other information. Hence, the media partici- pates in the larger process of inclusion and exclusion.
During the process, media coverage is required to be inclusive with the essence of covering our society in all of its guises. It is important to have a variety of sources and generate a story that reflects many points of view, including the marginalized groups (Ross, 2019). In addition, inclusivity is a significant part of news accuracy as it shows the real diversity of society (Ross, 2019). Within the context of an interna- tional health crisis, media coverage needs to include marginalized groups and the problems they encounter during the time of the pandemic.
This particular paper will specifically focus on how Indonesian media sheds light on People with Disabilities (PwD) in Covid-19 reporting. PwD is the largest minority population worldwide (WHO, 2021). In Indonesia alone there are more than 37 mil- lion people with disabilities and 17 million of them are children and the elderly (Rifai
& Humaedi, 2020). Even before the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, disabled per- sons in Indonesia faced a number of obstacles to gaining employment, education, housing, and social involvement, despite the size of this community (WHO, 2021).
Such discrimination against PwD increased during the time of the pandemic.
PwD group is believed to have a greater risk in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are more susceptible to contracting the deadly virus because they are hampered in accessing prevention and hygiene information (World Economic Forum, 2020). Another factor is that there are barriers to implementing clean and healthy living behaviors, as a result of inaccessible sanitation facilities, while some people with disabilities need to touch something to obtain information or physi- cal support (eg assistive devices such as sticks, wheelchairs, information in letters, braille, etc.) as mentioned by International Disability Alliance (IDA) (2020).
The spread of the Covid-19 virus is also increasingly vulnerable due to de- pendence on physical contact with the environment or companion. Symptoms of COVID-19 in PwD can also be more severe due to respiratory health conditions caused by certain disorders and at the same time, they may experience more bar-
riers to accessing health care and experience discrimination and neglect by health care workers (WHO, 2020). Apart from the health aspect, this crisis is also believed to have exacerbated inequality, discrimination, and violence for PwD in various other aspects such as the economy, education, social protection, and others (Goggin &
Ellis, 2020a).
The series of policies restricting public movement during the pandemic has the potential to place PwD in increasingly isolated and marginalized situations (Inter- national Disability Alliance (IDA), 2020). During a pandemic, they have the potential to experience a higher level of difficulty in communicating or accessing information than other people in general (Xu et al., 2021). For example, the obligation to use masks has an impact on several groups with disabilities who have difficulty com- municating because facial expressions and lip movements cannot be seen (WHO, 2020).
Drawing on the concept of inclusive journalism, this paper aims to analyze the representation of PwD in the media during this pandemic. Up to now, there are only a few pieces of research that discuss the news coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on marginalized groups such as PwD. Hence, this particular study ad- dresses the gap in the academic literature as it aims to explore representations of PwD in the two most accessed online news media in Indonesia, Kompas and Detik.
com during pandemic reporting. In addition, the objective of the study is to describe themes in the representation of disability that may encourage certain interpreta- tions and stereotypes of PwD. The result of this study is significant because how the media portrays disability affects how disabled people view themselves and their wellbeing, how others treat them, and how social, economic, and health policies are created in relation to disability during this pandemic situation.
METHODOLOGY
This study used a qualitative design to explore representations of PwD in Indo- nesia’s online media during the COVID-19 pandemic. To answer the purpose of this study, articles published in Kompas online and Detik.com which covered the issue of PwD related to the Covid-19 pandemic were collected. Using search features on both online media’s website, articles were published during the period April 13, 2020, when COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in Indonesia (Furqan et al, 2022), and ending on December 31, 2021. This 20-month period was chosen because it includes numerous significant events within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the rise in case of COVID-19, social restriction policies, and vaccines. The keyword used for data collection is “covid-19 disabilitas” with the criteria; published in Bahasa and during the chosen time period. Articles were analyzed if they were specifically related to PwD and Covid-19 pandemic.
Framing approach then used for data analysis. The most quoted explanation about framing is the one pointed out by Entman (1993, p. 52): Framing is promoting a certain definition of the problem or an issue by emphasizing a specific aspect of facts and making it more apparent and dominant, while the other aspects of reality were abolished. Additionally, framing has a capacity to shape the perception of the audience in interpreting a particular reality or issue and promote a particular media
agenda (Griffin et al., 2009).
RESULT AND DICSUSSION
A total of 50 articles related to PwD and Covid-19 pandemic were collected and analyzed from the two online media during the period April 13, 2020 until Decem- ber 31, 2021. Detik.Com contributes 50 articles while Kompas.Com with 44 articles.
Below are details of news coverage from the two media during the pandemic re- lated to persons with disabilities.
Table 1. News coverage on PwD during pandemic by Kompas and Detik
No Title of News Articles Publisher Date
1 When Workers with Disabilities Help People Af-
fected by Covid-19 Kompas 23 April 2020
2 Kompas Humanitarian Fund Distributes Aid for
People with Disabilities Kompas 29 April 2020 3 Information on Covid-19 for Persons with Disabili-
ties in Remote Areas is minimal Kompas 17 May 2020 4 “There are those who are more difficult than us,
namely Persons with Disabilities” Kompas 17 May 2020 5 Children with Disabilities Need Special Handling
to Avoid Covid-19 Kompas 27 June 2020
6 The Importance of Mentoring and Caring for Children with Disabilities to be Protected from
Covid-19
Kompas 3 June 2020
7 70 Percent of Persons with Disabilities Do Not
Understand Covid-19 Health Protocols Kompas 3 July 2020 8 The Ministry of PPPA Calls Caring for Children
with Disabilities at Home a Constraint for Families whose economies are disrupted by Covid-19
Kompas 3 July 2020
9 Limited Inclusive Information, Children with Dis-
abilities Difficult to Understand Health Protocols Kompas 3 July 2020 10 This is the Government’s Efforts to Fulfill the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities during a Pan- demic
Kompas 7 July 2020
11 KSP Admits Many People with Disabilities Can’t
Get Help Kompas 7 July 2020
12 Workers with Disabilities Experience an 80% De-
cline in Income During the Pandemic Kompas 19 September 2020 13 Athletes with Disabilities intervene to reduce the
number of Covid-19 cases Kompas 27 October
2020 14 History of International Day of Persons with Dis-
abilities and Efforts to Fulfill the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Kompas 3 Desember 2020 15 Jokowi: Protection for Persons with Disabilities
Must Be Based on Human Rights Kompas 3 December 2020 16 Staff of Jokowi: Vaccination Coverage for Persons
with Disabilities in Java-Bali Almost 100 Percent Kompas 10 January 2021 17 The Government Is Asked To Give A Complete
Explanation About The Impact Of The Covid-19 Vaccine For People With Disabilities
Kompas 25 February 2021
18 People with Disabilities with DKI ID Cards Under-
go Covid-19 Vaccination Kompas 11 March 2021
19 Entering the Vulnerable Group, Persons with Dis-
abilities are entitled to the Covid-19 Vaccination Kompas 27 April 2021 20 Third Phase of Covid-19 Vaccination, Persons with
Disabilities and Mental Disorders Enter Priority Kompas 18 May 2021 21 Staff of Jokowi: Vaccination Centers Cannot Reject
Persons with Disabilities Kompas 21 May 2021 22 Ministry of Health Starts Conducting Covid-19
Vaccinations for 562,242 Persons with Disabilities Kompas 2 June 2021 23 Unlimited Domicile, Disability Vaccination Avail-
able at All Covid-19 Vaccination Centers Kompas 3 June 2021 24 Grab Launches Disability Friendly Vaccination
Center in Yogyakarta Kompas 17 June 2021
25 Jokowi’s Special Staff Asks for Priority for Co-
vid-19 Vaccination for Persons with Disabilities Kompas 22 June 2021 26 70 Percent of Persons with Disabilities Do Not
Understand Covid-19 Health Protocols Kompas 3 July 2021 27 UGM Webinar: Risma Prioritizes Persons with Dis-
abilities to Receive Vaccines Kompas 3 July 2021 28 West Java Starts Vaccination for Persons with Dis-
abilities, Kang Emil: A total of about 80,000 people Kompas 8 July 2021 29 People with Disabilities in Malang Get Sinopharm .
Vaccine Injection Kompas 2 August
2021 30 225,000 Doses of Sinopharm Vaccine Prepared for
Vaccination of Persons with Disabilities Kompas 3 August 2021 31 100 People with Disabilities in Jombang Start Tak-
ing Covid-19 Vaccinations Kompas 12 August
2021 32 225,000 Persons with Disabilities in Java-Bali Com-
pleted Vaccination October 2021 Kompas 15 August 2021 34 Seven People with Disabilities in Kembangan are
vaccinated against Covid-19 through Ball Pick-up Kompas 16 August 2021 35 Burhan’s Story, Disability in Babylon After Vaccina-
tion: A Little Pain Kompas 16 August 2021
36 People with Disabilities in Babylon are Enthusiastic
about Vaccination, Bring Home Food Packages Kompas 16 August 2021 37 Presidential Staff: Persons with Disabilities Must
Get Priority for the Covid-19 Vaccination Kompas 26 August 2021 38 Vaccination of Disability Groups, Bogor City Re-
ceives 1,300 Sinopharm Vaccine Grants from the United Arab Emirates
Kompas 27 August 2021 39 Caring for Children Affected by Covid-19, Social
Minister Risma Provides Moral and Material Sup- port
Kompas 20 September 2021 40 Social Minister: Many People with Disabilities are
Afraid of Vaccines Become Our Hardest Home- work
Kompas 28 September 2021 41 Jokowi’s staff: 95 percent of people with disabili-
ties in 6 provinces are injected with the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine
Kompas 29 September 2021
42 Staff of the President Says Not Having a NIK Is The Reason For People With Disabilities Can’t Get
The Covid-19 Vaccine
Kompas 12 October 2021 43 Optimally Serve Persons with Disabilities, Bekasi
City Immigration Provide This Facility Kompas 15 October 2021 44 Stories of Disabilities Fighting Hoaxes for the
Right to Participate in Vaccinations Kompas 22 November 2021 45 Indonesian People with Disabilities Use Digital
Technology to Survive in the Midst of a Pandemic Detik 3 December 2021 46 Jokowi Appreciates Grab for Presenting Disability-
Friendly Vaccination Center Detik 16 September 2021 47 Vaccination of Persons with Disabilities in East
Java Reaches 80% Detik 3 September
2021 48 Banyuwangi Completes One-Dose Vaccination for
Persons with Disabilities Detik 1 September 2021 49 Minister of Communication and Informatics: Gov-
ernment Focuses on Paying Attention to Lay-Out Disabled Workers
Detik 30 August 2021 50 170 Special School Students in Sukabumi Regency
Get the First Phase of Vaccination Detik 28 August 2021 51 5,585 Persons with Disabilities in 13 West Java
Regions Vaccinate Tomorrow Detik 27 August 2021 52 Hundreds of People with Disabilities in Bogor City
Vaccination against COVID-19 Detik 26 August 2021 53 Disability Covid-19 Vaccination Constrained Fam-
ily Support Detik 25 August
2021 54 The Story of Angkie Yudista Almost Desperate
About Disability Vaccination Detik 25 September 2021 55 The Happiness of Persons with Disabilities in Sido-
arjo Get Basic Food Packages After Vaccination Detik 25 September 2021 56 Happy Couples with Disabilities Receive Social As-
sistance in Malang Detik 25 August
2021 57 6,000 People with Disabilities in West Java Have
Been Injected with Corona Vaccines Detik 24 August 2021 58 ODGJ and Persons with Disabilities in Cimahi Be-
gin to be vaccinated against COVID-19 Detik 16 August 2021 59 200 Persons with Disabilities in Pasuruan City are
Vaccinated by Sinopharm Detik 16 August 2021
60 The elderly, disabled and ODGJ in West Jakarta
are vaccinated against Corona Detik 16 August 2021 61 Thousands of people with disabilities and ODGJ in
East Java are vaccinated against COVID-19 Detik 10 August 2021 62 Dozens of people with disabilities are happy in
Jombang when they are vaccinated against CO- VID-19
Detik 10 August 2021 63 Tricks of Pacitan Officers Calm People with Dis-
abilities who are Afraid of Vaccination Detik 10 August 2021 64 Cities and Regencies in East Java Hold Vaccina-
tions for Disabilities Detik 10 August
2021
65 Seeing the Action of Sign Language Translators in
Vaccination of Persons with Disabilities Detik 10 August 2021 66 Police Pick Up People with Disabilities in
Probolinggo City for Vaccination Detik 10 August 2021 67 This disability is afraid of being vaccinated, has
time to hug the police and be calmed Detik 10 August 2021 68 Ridwan Kamil Promises Vaccination for Disabilities
to be Completed in September Detik 7 August 2021 69 Persons with Disabilities in Banyuwangi Get Basic
Food and Red and White Flags Detik 2 August
2021 70 Police Invite People with Disabilities in Bojonegoro
to Stay Enthusiastic 45 Amid the Pandemic Detik 2 August 2021 71 121,648 Dose of Corona Vaccine Special for Dis-
abilities in West Java Detik 30 July 2021
72 Malang City Police Propose Additional COVID-19
Vaccine for People with Disabilities Detik 15 July 2021 73 Compiling Vaccination Information for Persons
with Disabilities in Bandung Detik 8 July 2021 74 Meeting with the Presidential Staff, Ridwan Kamil
Discusses Preparation for Disability Vaccination Detik 28 May 2021 75 48 Blind People Undergo COVID-19 Vaccination in
West Bandung Detik 24 April 2021
76 Hello! Blind Students in Cimahi Are Productive
Making Doormats During a Pandemic Detik 18 April 2021 77 Banyuwangi Picks Up COVID-19 Vaccination Balls
for Elderly and Disabled Detik 19 March
2021 78 Banyuwangi will pick up the COVID-19 vaccine for
the elderly and with disabilities Detik 5 March 2021 79 Despite the COVID-19 Pandemic, Blitar Persons
with Disabilities are Still Able to Work Detik 16 February 2021 80 Rosid is happy, the blind are offered to be an
honorary staff of the Batang Regency Government Detik 26 January 2021 81 79 People at Triasih Foundation Orphanage in
West Jakarta Positive for COVID, Majority with Dis- abilities
Detik 15 January 2021 82 Challenges and Expectations of Persons with Dis-
abilities in the Midst of a Pandemic Detik 9 December 2020 83 The Important Role of Malaysian Disabled Online
Ojek Drivers in the Time of COVID-19 Detik 9 December 2020 84 Pertamina Distributes IDR 17.2 Billion for Orphans,
Disability and Elderly Detik 18 May 2020
85 Kemdikbud Asked to Pay Attention to the Learn- ing Process of Children with Disabilities During
the Corona Pandemic
Detik 17 May 2020
86 Dear Government, Pay Attention to the Educa- tion of Children with Disabilities in the Midst of a
Pandemic
Detik 17 May 2020
87 Regarding social assistance, the government is
asked to optimize the needs for disabled groups Detik 17 May 2020 88 Help! Blind Couples in Cimahi Haven’t Been
Touched by Government Assistance Detik 10 May 2020
89 Government Asked to Provide a COVID-19 Con-
tact Center Special for People with Disabilities Detik 2 May 2020 90 400 Families with Disabilities in Bekasi Get Aid
Worth Rp 200 Million Detik 22 April 2020
91 People with Intellectual Disabilities are Threatened
with Lack of Attention During the Pandemic Detik 18 September 2020 92 The Spirit of the Lumpia Trader with Disabilities
from Klaten Seeks Fortune in the Pandemic Period Detik 21 August 2020 93 It’s nice for women with disabilities in Sidoarjo to
get orders to make PPE Detik 18 July 2020
94 New Normal, Researchers Reveal the Importance
of Attention to Elderly-Disabled Detik 27 June 2020 Framing data of the marginalized group revealed how people with disabilities were depicted in the early stages of the pandemic by Indonesian news portals.
However, this number is relatively small compared to the total news coverage dur- ing pandemic reporting. In addition, most of the news coverage related to PwD were published in the period of August – December 2022 which is dominated by vaccination topics. Most of the news coverage is also still focused on reporting on activities/ events and it is very rare that it raises news containing discourses/issues of disability needs during the pandemic.
This indicates that both media did not significantly include PwD and the prob- lems they encountered in the time of pandemic, particularly in the first half period of this study along with the rise case of Covid-19 and social restriction policies. Study reveals that even during pandemic when PwD suffer increased health risks and ac- cess challenges, they are still underrepresented in media or government discourse.
News that raises the issue of disability is also still limited to news on ceremonial activities and is mainly related to the issue of health vaccinations. There is very little news that raises other issues faced by people with disabilities during the pandem- ic, such as employment or education issues. In fact, people with disabilities them- selves experience wide and varied impacts during the pandemic, not only related to health issues. Many people with disabilities have also experienced a decrease in their income and have had their educational activities disrupted during the pandemic.
However, these issues are very rarely discussed or raised in the news of the two me- dia during the pandemic.
Furthermore, both media used limited information sources and did not reflect many points of views in the pandemic reporting. It was discovered that every piece of news about marginalized populations was positive.Government sources, on the other hand, became the primary actors in defining news frames because marginal- ized groups such as PwD and their allies had limited access to the media. As a re- sult, inclusive journalism still has to be improved. The news that is published mostly raises the government’s agenda that targets the disability group. However, persons with disabilities themselves are not involved in the news to express their needs and desires. Thus, the news that occurs can strengthen the objectification of persons with disabilities which places them as individuals who do not have a voice and have no authority over themselves.
As can be analyzed through the selection of source person which rarely involved PwD and their individual’s own voice. Even in the news related to PwD, the journal- ists did not take the time to listen to and adopt more of PwD’s own opinions, and instead perceived the information from people without disability. For example, in two news published by Kompas, on July 3, 2020 entitled “70 percent of people with disabilities do not understand the Covid-19 Health Protocol’’ (70 Persen Penyan- dang Disabilitas Belum Pahami Protokol Kesehatan Covid-19) and “Limited Inclu- sive Information, Children with Disabilities Difficult to Understand Health Protocols”
(Keterbatasan Informasi yang Inklusif, Anak Penyandang Disabilitas Sulit Memahami Protokol Kesehatan). The voices of PwD were absent from both news articles. There was no story from the PwD who could have shared the story from their own per- spective about the problems and challenges they faced in order to understand and implement the health protocols.
In addition, the news coverage still strengthens the negative and/or dehuman- izing stereotypes towards PwD. Findings of this study revealed that PwD still framed as of “victims”, “others”, and “inspirational” in the pandemic reporting. In other in- stances, a single article contained several stereotypes. Under the “victims” fram- ing, PwD was portrait as pitiful or helpless, just because they have a disability. For instances, news articles titled “The Happiness of Persons with Disabilities in Sido- arjo Get Basic Food Packages After Vaccination” (Bahagianya Penyandang Difabel di Sidoarjo Dapat Paket Sembako Usai Divaksin) published by Detik.com on 25 Sep 2021, another news published by Detik.com on 18 April 2020 titled “These Volun- teers Still Help the Blind Amid the Corona Pandemic” (Para Relawan Ini Tetap Bantu Tuna Netra di Tengah Pandemi Corona), and news titled “Happy Couples with Dis- abilities Receive Social Assistance in Malang” (Suka Cita Pasutri Disabilitas Terima Bansos di Malang) published by Detik.com on 25 August 2021.
All of the news articles framed PwD as “victims” who are disempowered and dependent on the state for support (Clogston, 1990). With this framing approach, support is a gift for PwD rather than a right. These kinds of prejudices affect assess- ments of who deserves help, and help is presented as “generous” deeds of kindness (Hudes, 2020). PwD were projected as a burden, and it was believed that assisting them would benefit the state or other groups, making PwD a vehicle for self-im- provement. The news items focused more on the opinions and contributions of the non-disabled helpers rather than boosting the voices of handicapped individuals.
Another example from news article published by Kompas.com, on 15 October 2021 titled “Optimally Serve Persons with Disabilities, Bekasi City Immigration Pro- vide Facilities” (Layani Penyandang Disabilitas dengan Optimal, Imigrasi Kota Bekasi Sediakan Fasilitas). Instead of seeing human rights-based services as an ideal stan- dard and those services as part of fulfilling PwD’s rights, the news narrative sees these human rights-based services as additional gifts given by government agen- cies to PwD.
Furthermore, PwD are still stereotyped by the media and the government as
“others” Because disabled persons are viewed as a burden in this dimension, their cases are frequently “handled like charity cases.” For example, two news articles published by Kompas.com, on 28 September 2021 and 17 May 2020, titled “Social
Minister: Many People with Disabilities are Afraid of Vaccines Become Our Hard- est Homework” (Mensos: Banyak Disabilitas Takut Vaksin Jadi PR Kami yang Paling Berat) and “There are those who are more difficult than us, namely people with dis- abilities” (Ada yang Lebih Susah dari Kita, yaitu Penyandang Disabilitas). From both articles, PwD are portrayed as silent victims of both their disabilities and the pan- demic, leaving them dependent on assistance from able-bodied people, especially the government. Like the majority of news pieces, this one did not interview PwD to hear about their experiences and the issues that directly affect them. The use of terms “Kami” and “Kita” (us) indicated a distance between PwD and the rest of the public and assumed that PwD is not a part of the general community. Such framing may lead to a more discrimination and marginalization towards PwD groups.
Moreover, “inspirational” or “superhero” framing (Clogston, 1990; Haller, 1998) were also used in several news articles. As can be seen in a news titled “Driving a Modified Motorcycle, Couples with Disabilities Take 1 Hour Travel to Participate in Vaccinations” (Kendarai Motor Modifikasi, Pasutri Penyandang Disabilitas Tempuh 1 Jam Perjalanan demi Ikut Vaksinasi) published by Kompas.com, on 19 August 2021.
The news framed PwD as an extraordinary person who succeeded despite their dis- ability. PwD as the subject in the news was presented as brave or inspirational for getting through their daily lives. Such framing will only strengthen the assumption that because disabled people’s lives are so miserable, it takes strength and tenacity to even go through a typical day. It also shows that there are low expectations for what PwD can do. Similar framing was repeated on the news titled “Stories of Dis- abilities Fighting Hoaxes for the Right to Participate in Vaccinations” (Kisah Disabili- tas Melawan Hoaks demi Hak untuk Ikut Vaksinasi) published by Kompas on 22 No- vember 2021. While it’s vital to acknowledge the hardships and suffering that many disabled individuals endure, accomplishing something that is typically regarded as routine shouldn’t be viewed as extraordinary. Additionally, this supported the idea that PwD have less capability to achieve something than able-bodied people.
Despite the negative framing, Detik.com and Kompas.com also performed its advocacy role in order to boost change. For example, through several news pub- lished by Kompas.com titled “The Minister of Home Affairs Asks the Presidential Staff to Make a Mapping of the Obstacles Faced by Persons with Disabilities’’ (Mendagri Minta Stafsus Presiden Buat Pemetaan Kendala yang Dihadapi Penyandang Disabili- tas) published on 11 October 2021, “Information on Covid-19 for Persons with Dis- abilities in Remote Areas is minimal” (Informasi Covid-19 untuk Penyandang Dis- abilitas di Wilayah Terpencil Minim) published on 17 May 2020, and “Persons with Disabilities Must Get Priority for the Covid-19 Vaccination” (Penyandang Disabilitas Harus Mendapat Prioritas untuk Divaksin Covid-19) on 26 October 2021. Several news published by Detik.com also have similar purpose for advocacy journalism such as, “Dear Government, Pay Attention to the Education of Children with Dis- abilities in the Midst of a Pandemic” (Dear Pemerintah, Perhatikan Pendidikan Anak Difabel di Tengah Pandemi) published on 17 mei 2020, “New Normal, Research- ers Reveal the Importance of Attention to Elderly-Disabled “ (New Normal, Peneliti Ungkap Pentingnya Perhatian ke Lansia-Difabel) on 27 June 2020, and “Minister of Communication and Informatics: Government Focuses on Paying Attention to Lay-
Out Disabled Workers’’ (Menkominfo: Pemerintah Fokus Perhatikan Pekerja Difabel yang Di-PHK) also published by Detik.com, on 30 August 2021. Through those news coverages, the media performed human right framing which supported PwD rights such as right to work, right to education and healthcare.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, people with disabilities in Indonesia are still underrepresented in media or government discourse during pandemic Covid-19, despite the fact they have a higher health risk and experience more challenges in accessing healthcare.
Based on the thematic framing analysis in Detik.com and Kompas.com during pan- demic reporting, disability is still viewed as medical and a burden on society. The domination of victims, others, and superhero framing used in the news coverages might strengthen the negative stereotypes towards PwD.
Rather than presenting the vulnerability of PwD as something that is influenced by external situations like socio political forces, such negative stereotypes framed PwD as being inherently vulnerable owing to their medical impairments. Results of this study suggest Indonesian media to apply the concept of inclusive journalism in reporting pandemic by providing positive representations of disability and more op- portunities for PwD to share their version of story related to their experiences in the time of pandemic crisis. Finally, due to the limitations of this study, future research is highly needed to explore the representation of PwD in the media, particularly with a quantitative approach and/ or in depth interview with PwD and journalists.
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